+DEV+ Jesus: Of Tender Compassion

Date: August 23, 2012 12:01 AM
Topic: +DEV+  Jesus: Of Tender Compassion

Jesus: Of Tender Compassion

"Deeply moved at the sight of his brother [Benjamin], Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there."  (Genesis 43:30)
Scripture Focus: Genesis 42-45

We read in Genesis of Joseph's dealings with his brothers when they came to Egypt for food. Notice that they did not recognize him on their first trip. Similarly, the majority of Jesus' brothers - the Hebrews - failed to recognize Him on His first appearing. The brothers went back to their father, returning later with Joseph's full brother, Benjamin. Joseph wept upon seeing him, just as Jesus wept over his friend Lazarus (John 11:35), and for the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44).

Joseph would hardly be blamed if he treated his brothers with cruelty. Instead, when they recognized him on their second trip, he treated them with compassion. Jesus also showed compassion for those who crucified Him, crying out, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). But Jesus' ultimate love was in His sacrifice of Himself for His Church. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Insight: "This Is...What Love Is: Jesus Christ Laid Down His Life For Us. And We Ought To Lay Down Our Lives For Our Brothers"  (1 John 3:16).